1/ In case you hadn't heard, on Wednesday 27 September 2018, both Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
2/ This hearing could supply a year's worth of nonverbal teaching examples and it would close to impossible to analyze the entire event in one session. Thus, what follows is the first of several analyses of this historic exchange.
3/ Many times during his testimony, Brett Kavanaugh dramatically sniffed. No doubt some of his sniffings were secondary to his tears. Possibly a portion of his sniffing was associated with allergies, perhaps a case of post-nasal drip, or maybe a side effect of medications.
4/ Yet, without a doubt, a large fraction of his sniffing was not associated with any of these aforementioned etiologies - but was behavioral.
5/ One such example of this atypical sniffing can be seen during the above video, in Brett Kavanaugh's exchange with Senator Dianne Feinstein.
6/ Beginning at 3:22, Senator Feinstein continues, "And, and what you're saying, if, if I understand it, is that the allegations by Dr. Ford, Ms. Ramirez, and Ms. Svetnick [sic] - Ω Swetnick, um, are - are wrong."
7/ During 3:31, just after Senator Feinstein mispronounces Ms. Swetnick's name (notated by a Ω symbol) and then, continuing during her re-pronunciation, Brett Kavanaugh displays one of these dramatic sniffing moments.
8/ But this is no simple sniff, rather it's a classic and very pronounced disgust display camouflaged by sniffing.
Although this behavior can be fully conscious, it usually is subconsciously driven or a phenomenon occurring at the edge-of-consciousness.
9/ Because it is disguised as a normal and common physiologic behavior, such disgust-sniffing is analogous to flipping someone your middle finger directly in front of their face. It's hate hiding in plain sight.
10/ SUMMARY: Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh projected numerous disgust displays throughout today's hearing - cloaked in sniffing. In the example shown here, it's clear that he holds a particularly high level of disgust toward Julie Swetnick.
continued ...
11/ Judge Kavanaugh's need for such a strong and frequent emotional display was one of his several behaviors highly correlative with Impulse Control Disorder.
END
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2/ Donald Trump delivered a campaign speech earlier today in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He repeatedly made the expression show in this accompanying still image. Note his central forehead is contracted and elevated while simultaneously displaying a (feigned) mouth smile.
3/ We all make an expression similar to this one *once-in-a-while* when we're feeling:
• Smug Incredulity
• Arrogance
• Contempt
(although all of these thought-emotions have other facial expressions with which they're associated)
1/ Yesterday, after the closest Senate vote in 137 years, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Ashley Kavanaugh's body language during her husband's swearing-in ceremony is worthy of scrutiny.
2/ Note in the above image, as retired Justice Anthony Kennedy administers the Judicial Oath to Brett Kavanaugh, Ashley Kavanaugh is standing with her left leg crossed in front of her right leg. This nonverbal display indicates a lowered confidence level & a beta emotional tone.
1/ There are many nonverbal signs indicating relative levels of confidence. During last week's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford exhibited contrasting examples of one such signal.
2/ When a person raises their right hand to be sworn-in before testifying, if their fingers and/or thumb are spread apart - it signals low levels of confidence.
1/ The following is my second analysis of a portion of Brett Kavanaugh's testimony during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on 27 September 2018.
2/ JOHN KENNEDY (beginning at 3:45:39): "I’m — I’m sorry, judge, for what you and your family have been through. And I’m sorry - for what Dr. Ford and her family have been through. It could have been avoided [long pause] Do you believe in God?"
1/ Idris Elba is by most all accounts, an excellent actor. But despite many accolades and awards, Idris, is of course, only human. During his recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, he experienced a very human moment - and displayed a classic nonverbal tell.
2/ Just after Graham Norton says, "... a-, but we have to say, it was a-, your American accent has not always been - that good."